Juan Williams of National Public Radio was fired today for making what NPR considers offensive remarks about Muslims while on Fox New's The O'Reilly Factor.
Williams comments were as follows.
"Look, Bill, I'm not a bigot. You know the kind of books I've written about the civil rights movement in this country. But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous." Read the entire text of the article here link to NPR article .
I have watched Juan Williams for many many years. Though he is a liberal, he is often very fair and objective in his analysis of current events. His remarks, though offensive to some, are no different than what a vast majority of Americans likely would think in the same situation. This is a natural human reaction to the stereotypes perpetuated by the media and by Islamic extremists. Mr. Williams did not say he was proud of those thoughts. He was just being honest by admitting they exist. For NPR to punish Mr. Williams for being honest, and to not give him an opportunity to explain his comments, is ridiculous and hurtful to our national dialogue. How are we to change a stereotype if we don't allow people to express them without fear of social punishment?
Though I am supporting Mr. Williams on this issue, I have to admit that I did chuckle a bit when I read that someone on the left had been stung by the political correctness that they so heavily champion. Maybe Mr. Williams will walk away from this with a new sense of respect for freedom of speech and will become an advocate against political correctness. I doubt it though.
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